The Kardashians Are in Hot Water Over Shady Instagram Posts

Uh-oh. Looks like someone has been fudging the truth a bit. According to a new report, the Kardashians are in hot water over deceitful Instagram ads they've been posting for the past year or so. Apparently, when the Kardashians post anything that they're promoting -- slimming teas, teeth whiteners, clothing -- they're supposed to disclose that it's an ad or sponsored. But that's not exactly what's been happening and now they might be in deep doo doo.

Advertisement

Consumer watchdog group Truth in Advertising sent a letter to the Kardashian-Jenner family recently, informing them that they found over 100 Instagram posts that were advertisements but weren't marked as so. The family apparently has a week to take the posts down (bye, bye FitTea posts). If Kim and co. don't take the posts down, the group will notify the Federal Trade Commission, who might in turn open up an investigation. Not something they want.

When it comes to sponsored social media posts, the law is clear – unless it's self-evident that an Instagram post is an advertisement, a clear and prominent disclosure is required so that consumers understand that what they are viewing is an ad. The Kardashian/Jenner family and the companies that have a commercial relationship with them have ignored this law for far too long, and it's time that they were held accountable.

Five of the Kardashian-Jenner siblings have allegedly posted deceptive ads promoting a certain company. According to TINA, "Kylie had the most problem posts. Kim took second." Apparently, Kylie's promotion of Puma resulted in 13 posts on its own.

On Monday, Kim posted an ad for Sugar Bear Hair gummy vitamins on her Instagram and immediately started the post with #ad. Khloe and Kylie quickly followed suit, adding the #ad or #sp (for sponsored) hashtag to recent posts.

A video posted by Kim Kardashian West (@kimkardashian) on Aug 22, 2016 at 12:33pm PDT

To many people, it's obvious when the Kardashians are promoting something, but to impressionable, young girls who want to emulate everything the family does, it's another story. It's pretty unethical for the Kardashian-Jenner clan to not disclose when they're getting paid for urging people to spend their money on a product.

Hopefully, the letter was enough to change the girls' social media practices. The last thing Kris Jenner wants is an investigation. Disclose away, ladies. You're open books with everything else in your lives.